Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: a touch panel including a plurality of touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric member provided on the plurality of touch driving electrodes, and a plurality of touch sensing electrode groups provided on the elastic dielectric member and respectively intersected and overlapped with the plurality of touch driving electrodes, wherein each of the touch sensing electrode groups includes a touch sensing electrode and a first dummy electrode being in parallel to each other on the elastic dielectric member; and a touch driving circuit configured to: in a touch point sensing mode, electrically float the first dummy electrode in a unit of a touch sensing electrode group and sense a change of capacitance through the touch sensing electrode of the touch sensing electrode group, and in a haptic mode, apply a voltage to a touch driving electrode and apply a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group, wherein the first dummy electrode of the touch sensing electrode group is electrically connected with the touch sensing electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in the haptic mode, and wherein the touch driving circuit generates touch force sensing data by electrically connecting the first dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group and sensing another change of capacitance through the touch sensing electrode while supplying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode in accordance with a touch force sensing mode.
A touch panel device combines touch sensing with haptic feedback. It has a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material (like a springy layer) on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated (floats), and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage applied to the touch driving electrode is an AC voltage at a predetermined frequency.
The touch panel device as described above uses an AC voltage at a specific frequency for the voltage applied to the touch driving electrode in the haptic mode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the elastic dielectric member varies according to an amplitude of the AC voltage.
The touch panel device with AC voltage for haptic feedback vibrates the elastic dielectric layer differently depending on how strong the AC voltage is. The touch panel device uses an AC voltage at a specific frequency for the voltage applied to the touch driving electrode in the haptic mode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic dielectric member is comprised of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), acrylic or poly-urethane material.
In the touch panel device, the elastic dielectric material that vibrates to create haptic feedback is made of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), acrylic, or polyurethane. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the touch driving circuit generates touch point sensing data by electrically floating the first dummy electrode in a unit of the touch sensing electrode group and sensing the change of capacitance through the touch sensing electrode while supplying the touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode in accordance with the touch point sensing mode.
The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein each of the touch sensing electrode groups includes a second dummy electrode being in parallel to the first dummy electrode with the touch sensing electrode interposed therebetween, wherein the touch driving circuit electrically floats the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, and electrically connects the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode with the touch sensing electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in accordance with the touch force sensing mode.
The touch panel device has a touch sensing electrode group with a touch sensing electrode, a first dummy electrode, and a second dummy electrode positioned parallel to each other, with the touch sensing electrode in the middle. In touch sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are electrically isolated. In touch force sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrode. The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the first dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising a haptic control circuit for determining a haptic area and haptic intensity based on at least one of the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data, and generating a haptic mode signal corresponding to the determined haptic area and the haptic intensity in accordance with the haptic mode.
The touch panel device determines the haptic area and intensity based on touch point and/or touch force data and generates a haptic mode signal corresponding to these values. The touch panel device has a touch sensing electrode group with a touch sensing electrode, a first dummy electrode, and a second dummy electrode positioned parallel to each other, with the touch sensing electrode in the middle. In touch sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are electrically isolated. In touch force sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrode. The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the first dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the touch driving circuit applies the voltage to the touch driving electrode in the haptic area and applies the reference voltage to the first dummy electrode, the second dummy electrode, and the touch sensing electrode for the touch sensing electrode group included in the haptic area based on the haptic mode signal.
In the touch panel device, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode within the haptic area, and a reference voltage is applied to the dummy electrodes and the touch sensing electrode within the haptic area, based on the generated haptic mode signal. The touch panel device determines the haptic area and intensity based on touch point and/or touch force data and generates a haptic mode signal corresponding to these values. The touch panel device has a touch sensing electrode group with a touch sensing electrode, a first dummy electrode, and a second dummy electrode positioned parallel to each other, with the touch sensing electrode in the middle. In touch sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are electrically isolated. In touch force sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrode. The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the first dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the touch driving circuit includes: a driving signal supplying part for supplying the touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode in accordance with the touch point sensing mode and the touch force sensing mode, and generating the voltage corresponding to the haptic mode signal in accordance with the haptic mode and supplying the generated voltage corresponding to the haptic mode signal to the touch driving electrode; an electrode connecting part for electrically floating the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, electrically connecting the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in accordance with the touch force sensing mode, and applying the reference voltage to the first dummy electrode, the second dummy electrode, and the touch sensing electrode for the touch sensing electrode group included in the haptic area in accordance with the haptic mode; a sensing part for generating the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data, wherein the sensing part is connected with the touch sensing electrode through the electrode connecting part in accordance with the touch point sensing mode and the touch force sensing mode so as to sense the change of capacitance through the touch sensing electrode; and a sensing data processing part for storing the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data provided from the sensing part in a memory, and transmitting the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data stored in the memory to a host system.
This invention relates to a touch-sensitive apparatus capable of detecting both touch points and touch force, as well as providing haptic feedback. The apparatus includes a touch driving circuit that operates in multiple modes: touch point sensing, touch force sensing, and haptic feedback. In touch point sensing mode, the circuit supplies a driving pulse to a touch driving electrode and electrically floats dummy electrodes adjacent to touch sensing electrodes to detect touch points via capacitance changes. In touch force sensing mode, the circuit connects the dummy electrodes to the touch sensing electrodes and applies a reference voltage to enhance force detection accuracy. For haptic feedback, the circuit generates a voltage corresponding to a haptic mode signal and applies it to the touch driving electrode to produce tactile feedback. The apparatus also includes a sensing part that measures capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrodes and a processing part that stores and transmits the collected touch data to a host system. The design allows seamless switching between sensing and haptic modes, improving user interaction in touch-sensitive devices.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the electrode connecting part includes: a first switching device for electrically floating the first dummy electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, and electrically connecting the first dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch force sensing mode or the haptic mode; a second switching device for electrically floating the second dummy electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, and electrically connecting the second dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch force sensing mode or the haptic mode; and a multiplexer for connecting the touch sensing electrode to the sensing part by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch point sensing mode or the touch force sensing mode, and supplying the reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the haptic mode.
This invention relates to a touch-sensitive apparatus with enhanced functionality for touch point sensing, touch force sensing, and haptic feedback. The apparatus includes touch sensing electrodes arranged in groups, each group having a first and second dummy electrode. The electrode connecting part controls these electrodes through switching devices and a multiplexer. In touch point sensing mode, the first and second dummy electrodes are electrically floated, allowing the touch sensing electrodes to detect touch locations. In touch force sensing mode, the dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrodes to measure applied force. In haptic mode, the multiplexer supplies a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrodes to generate tactile feedback. The switching devices ensure proper electrode configuration for each mode, while the multiplexer routes signals to a sensing part or provides haptic feedback. This design improves touchscreen functionality by integrating multiple sensing and feedback capabilities into a single system.
11. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein each of the touch sensing electrode groups includes a dummy bridge electrode for electrically connecting one side of the first dummy electrode with one side of the second dummy electrode.
The touch panel device has a "dummy bridge" electrode that connects one side of the first dummy electrode to one side of the second dummy electrode. The touch panel device has a touch sensing electrode group with a touch sensing electrode, a first dummy electrode, and a second dummy electrode positioned parallel to each other, with the touch sensing electrode in the middle. In touch sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are electrically isolated. In touch force sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrode. The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the first dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising a haptic control circuit for determining a haptic area and a haptic intensity based on at least one of the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data, and generating a haptic mode signal corresponding to the determined haptic area and the haptic intensity in accordance with the haptic mode.
The touch panel device determines the haptic area and intensity based on touch point and/or touch force data and generates a haptic mode signal corresponding to these values. The touch panel device has a "dummy bridge" electrode that connects one side of the first dummy electrode to one side of the second dummy electrode. The touch panel device has a touch sensing electrode group with a touch sensing electrode, a first dummy electrode, and a second dummy electrode positioned parallel to each other, with the touch sensing electrode in the middle. In touch sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are electrically isolated. In touch force sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrode. The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the first dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the touch driving circuit applies the voltage to the touch driving electrode in the haptic area and applies the reference voltage to the first dummy electrode, the second dummy electrode, and the touch sensing electrode for the touch sensing electrode group included in the haptic area based on the haptic mode signal.
In the touch panel device, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode within the haptic area, and a reference voltage is applied to the dummy electrodes and the touch sensing electrode within the haptic area, based on the generated haptic mode signal. The touch panel device determines the haptic area and intensity based on touch point and/or touch force data and generates a haptic mode signal corresponding to these values. The touch panel device has a "dummy bridge" electrode that connects one side of the first dummy electrode to one side of the second dummy electrode. The touch panel device has a touch sensing electrode group with a touch sensing electrode, a first dummy electrode, and a second dummy electrode positioned parallel to each other, with the touch sensing electrode in the middle. In touch sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are electrically isolated. In touch force sensing mode, both dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrode. The touch panel device detects touch location by electrically isolating the first dummy electrode and measuring capacitance changes through the touch sensing electrode while applying a touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the touch driving circuit includes: a driving signal supplying part for supplying the touch driving pulse to the touch driving electrode in accordance with the touch point sensing mode and the touch force sensing mode, and generating the voltage corresponding to the haptic mode signal in accordance with the haptic mode and supplying the generated voltage corresponding to the haptic mode signal to the touch driving electrode; an electrode connecting part for electrically floating the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, electrically connecting the first dummy electrode and the second dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode in the unit of the touch sensing electrode group in accordance with the touch force sensing mode, and applying the reference voltage to the first dummy electrode, the second dummy electrode, and the touch sensing electrode for the touch sensing electrode group included in the haptic area in accordance with the haptic mode; a sensing part for generating the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data, wherein the sensing part is connected with the touch sensing electrode through the electrode connecting part in accordance with the touch point sensing mode and the touch force sensing mode so as to sense the change of capacitance through the touch sensing electrode; and a sensing data processing part for storing the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data provided from the sensing part in a memory, and transmitting the touch point sensing data and the touch force sensing data stored in the memory to a host system.
This invention relates to a touch-sensitive apparatus capable of detecting both touch point and touch force while also providing haptic feedback. The apparatus includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes and touch sensing electrodes, along with first and second dummy electrodes arranged in groups. A touch driving circuit controls the operation in three modes: touch point sensing, touch force sensing, and haptic feedback. In touch point sensing mode, the dummy electrodes are electrically floated, allowing the sensing part to detect changes in capacitance through the touch sensing electrodes to determine touch location. In touch force sensing mode, the dummy electrodes are connected to the touch sensing electrodes, enabling force detection by measuring capacitance changes. For haptic feedback, a reference voltage is applied to the electrodes in the haptic area, and the driving signal supplying part generates a voltage corresponding to the haptic mode signal, which is applied to the touch driving electrode to produce tactile feedback. The sensing data processing part stores and transmits the touch point and force data to a host system for further processing. The apparatus integrates multi-modal touch sensing and haptic feedback into a single system, improving user interaction with touchscreens.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the electrode connecting part includes: a first switching device for electrically floating the first dummy electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, and electrically connecting the first dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch force sensing mode or the haptic mode; a second switching device for electrically floating the second dummy electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch point sensing mode, and electrically connecting the second dummy electrode to the touch sensing electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch force sensing mode or the haptic mode; and a multiplexer for connecting the touch sensing electrode to the sensing part by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the touch point sensing mode or the touch force sensing mode, and supplying the reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode by each of the touch sensing electrode groups in accordance with the haptic mode.
Touch sensing technology. This invention addresses the need for a single apparatus capable of performing touch point sensing, touch force sensing, and haptic feedback. The apparatus includes a sensing part and multiple touch sensing electrode groups. Each touch sensing electrode group is associated with an electrode connecting part. The electrode connecting part comprises a first switching device, a second switching device, and a multiplexer. The first switching device controls the electrical connection of a first dummy electrode. In touch point sensing mode, it floats the first dummy electrode for each group. In touch force sensing mode or haptic mode, it connects the first dummy electrode to the corresponding touch sensing electrode for each group. Similarly, the second switching device controls the electrical connection of a second dummy electrode, floating it in touch point sensing mode and connecting it to the touch sensing electrode in touch force sensing mode or haptic mode. The multiplexer connects the touch sensing electrode to the sensing part for each group in touch point sensing mode or touch force sensing mode. However, in haptic mode, the multiplexer supplies a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode for each group. This configuration allows the apparatus to dynamically switch between different sensing and feedback modes using the same electrode structure.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of touch driving electrodes are disposed on a first surface of the elastic dielectric member and the plurality of touch sensing electrode groups are disposed on a second surface of the elastic dielectric member, the second surface facing away from the first surface, and wherein the elastic dielectric member is vibrated according to the voltage applied to the touch driving electrode and the reference voltage applied to the touch sensing electrode group in the haptic mode.
In the touch panel device, the touch driving electrodes are on one side of the elastic dielectric layer, and the touch sensing electrode groups are on the other side. The dielectric layer vibrates based on the voltage applied to the touch driving electrodes and the reference voltage applied to the touch sensing electrodes during haptic mode. The touch panel device includes a touch panel with touch driving electrodes, an elastic dielectric material on top of them, and touch sensing electrode groups above that. Each sensing group has a touch sensing electrode and a dummy electrode, side-by-side. A circuit controls the panel: In touch sensing mode, the dummy electrode is electrically isolated, and capacitance changes are measured through the touch sensing electrode to detect touch location. In haptic mode, a voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, and a reference voltage to the touch sensing electrode group to vibrate the elastic layer. For touch force sensing, the dummy electrode is electrically connected to the touch sensing electrode, and capacitance changes are measured while applying a touch driving pulse to the driving electrode.
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December 26, 2017
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